Maple Leafs Look To End Canucks’ Unbeaten Streak
The Vancouver Canucks look to keep winning under new coach Bruce Boudreau against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Going through the latest news, stats, and injury reports shows Toronto as the slight favorites on the NHL betting lines.
UPDATE: The game has been postponed due to COVID-19 protocols and issues.
Maple Leafs vs Canucks Betting Analysis Guide
Canucks’ Real MVP
All the hype in Vancouver right now is with Boudreau and the revitalized Brock Boeser. The 24-year-old has five goals (two game-winning) and seven points since Boudreau took over after having just four goals and ten points prior.
Boeser and the Canucks are +9 in goal differential and averaging 3.17 in this span. But a closer look at their 5v5 analytics shows that the team is just marginally performing better than usual with an expected goal differential of just 0.5. Vancouver is still just a middling team on even strength.
So about last night’s wild win in San Jose, some pretty big performances from Boeser, Demko…and Tyler Myers https://t.co/plNNWlq42D
— Patrick Johnston (@risingaction) December 17, 2021
But their trump card has been goaltender Thatcher Demko. He’s mostly been stellar for Vancouver and now that the team can finally give him run support, he’s looking like the Vezina candidate he’s supposed to be.
Maple Leafs Could Be Vancouver’s Kryptonite
The Canucks have looked legitimate in their last six games. That’s cute. The Maple Leafs have won 18 of their last 23 games, have the best goal differential (+33), and have the best power play (PP) (36.5%). So it stands to reason they have a higher probability of winning here.
Toronto is fresh off a blowout win against the Oilers, limiting Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to zero points. As much as the Leafs have been potent on offense, they can thank the brunt of their success to their improved defense… and Jack Campbell, of course.
The netminder leads the NHL in goals saved above expectations (17) and goalie point shares (5.6). He has some ridiculous save percent stats like 94.1% on even strength and 90.4% on scoring chances. As long as he keeps this up, it’s tough to bet online against them.
Maple Leafs vs Canucks Head to Head
| Toronto | Stat | Vancouver |
| 6-3-1 | Record | 4-6-0 |
| 2-7-1 | Over/Under | 2-7-1 |
| 3.60 | Average Score | 2.50 |
| 16% | Power Play % | 38.10% |
| 61.90% | Penalty Kill % | 84% |
Leafs vs Canucks Game Information
- Date: December 18, 2021
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- Location: Rogers Arena
- Toronto Maple Leafs vs Vancouver Canucks Live Stream: NHL Live
Maple Leafs vs Canucks Betting Lines
| Toronto | Vancouver | |
| -130 | Moneyline | +110 |
| 54.27% | Implied Probability | 45.73% |
| -1½
(+175) |
Puck Line | +1½
(-210) |
| 5½
(-115o) |
Total | 5½
(-105u) |
Maple Leafs vs Canucks Prediction
We love a great comeback story. But Cinderella’s run ends as the Leafs should edge the Canucks. Toronto has generated the most scoring chances in the NHL. Even if Vancouver has a higher differential of scoring chance goals under Boudreau’s tenure, Campbell will match or outdo Demko.
Toronto will be missing John Tavares on top of Mitch Marner. But the Leafs still have Auston Matthews and at least four others on pace to score 20+ goals. The Canucks’ penalty kill has also improved but it’s still dead last in the NHL and this will be their downfall.
Pick: Toronto Maple Leafs -130
The total going over is the preferred line on the BetUS online sportsbook for obvious reasons: these squads are prolific on offense. But goaltending and underrated defense will be the story here. Half of Vancouver’s last six games have gone under while the Leafs are allowing the seventh-fewest goals in the NHL.
Pick: Total – Under 5½ (-115)
Parlay: Maple Leafs and Under 5½ at +245
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